BANIK, NX., HOGAN, EX., and POWERS, J.M. (1981). Mechanisms of myelin breakdown: A com- bined study of morphology and biochemistry in spinal cord ...
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TRAUMA Volume 2, Number 2, 1985 Mary Ann Lieber!, Inc., Publishers
The Role of Calcium in
Spinal Cord Injury
WISE YOUNG
INTRODUCTION (Ca) as the "most important and ubiquitous intracelCa2+ ions have been shown to influence virtually every major biologic reaction have been believed to regulate cellular function ranging from oxidative phosphorylation to membrane permeability. Intracellular Ca2* ionic activity ([Ca2*]i) is tightly regulated. [Ca2*]i normally seldom exceeds 1 uM despite extracellular Ca2* ion activities ([Ca2*]e) of 1-2 mM.'2' The Ca2* gradient, possibly the steepest ionic gradient known to biology, provides a strong driving force for Ca2* movement into cells. Ca2* entry into cells has been reported to activate degradative enzymes,'3"" to initiate and aggravate the cascade of arachidonic acid metabolites,'89' to stimulate aerobic glycolysis,'10' and to increase membrane permeability."1' Consequently, many investigators have hypothesized that Ca2* entry causes cell death and dysfunction in CNS injury.2 mM,132"34' phosphate ions bind avidly with Ca2*, having an association constant pK -7.2.
